I NEED U TO BE THERE..... for a little more than Always!!

CHAPTER 35

I want u to be there.... For a little more than Always!!
Part 35:
That evening, Manik was in the study working on some new project. Without Nandini it gave him a bit trouble but he didn't mind. Though Nandini insisted he didn't let her work at all.

It had been quite long, so Nandini took up a glass of juice and walked towards the study.
She was on her way when she saw Raj coming towards her,
Nandini: Good evening Mr. Malhotra!!

Raj: Good evening Nandini...

Now that she was free she really wanted to talk to him, so she asked,
Nandini: Sir, if u r free... We can talk now!!

Raj: Umn... U sure??

Nandini: Of course....
Nandini turned around and saw a servant passing by,
Nandini: Mohan... Come here!!

Mohan: Yes Ma'am??

Nandini: Take this juice to the study for Manik...

Mohan: Ma'am.... In the study!!!
Mohan hesitated a bit as he knew manik doesn't like to be disturbed.

Nandini: Relax... Tell him I sent u!! If he asks tell him, i m taking rest in my room.

Mohan: Ohk Ma'am...
As he went away, Nandini turned back towards Raj and said,

Nandini: After u Sir...

Raj nodded at her and walked outside to the lawn. He took up a chair and asked Nandini to sit too. He didn't say anything for sometime so Nandini said,

Nandini: Sir... U wanted to talk??

Raj: Umn.. yes!! About Manik.... I wanted to know about him.

Nandini: I m sorry sir... But i m not really sure if i understand what u mean!!

Raj: Look Nandini... I don't wanna hit around the bush so I'll come to the point directly. I want to sort things out with him and apparently these days Manik is not talking to anyone except his friends. And out of all of them its just u that I can talk to for reasons that u already know of. So I want u to help me in anyway that u can.

Nandini looked at him shocked. She didn't know if she heard him right or not! She just couldn't believe that this was a father talking about his own son. Raj noticed her expression and said,

Raj: Nandini....

Nandini: What kind of a person are u??

Raj: Excuse me!!
Now it was Raj's turn to be shocked as Nandini continued.

Nandini: Its been almost two days that u r here.... Tell me once that u tried to talk to him or even greet him. Well, if I m not wrong u hvn't even seen him yet except for the time when the two of us came back from Lonavala. I m not sure now, if u even regret for whatever happened.

Raj: What do u mean??

Nandini: Nothing.... I just mean nothing!! But if u really would hv regretted all of this. U wouldn't hv waited for so long to accept ur mistake and apologize. Forget about that, u still r not ready to say that u r here to apologize to ur son.

Raj heard her and got angry at her words.
Raj: How dare u??

Nandini: What did u expect from me?? U r sitting here, willing to plan out something. Whereas all that u should hv done was to simply say a heartfelt apology to him just as u meet him. Manik is ur son Mr. Malhotra... Just a tight hug and a real sorry that is all u would need for him. But for that just plz ask urself once, do u really feel sorry for what u did.

Raj: It's easier said than done..... Knowing how much he is hurt because of me. It's very difficult to even face him. That's why i didn't come back to India for so long...